Apparatus for curing deformities



(No Model.)

G. AUBIN. APPARATUS FOR CURING DEFORMITIES. No. 309,678. Patented Dec. 23, 188 L Miran TABS GEORGE AUBIN, OF PHILADELPHIA, PENNSYLVANIA.

APPARATUS FO R CURING DEFO RM lTl ES.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 309,678, dated December 23, 1884.

V Application filed October 20, 1884. No model.)

To all whom it may concern.-

Be it known that I, GEORGE AUBIN, a citizen of the United States, and a resident of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, have invented certain Improvements in Apparatus for Ouring Deformities, of which the following is a specification.

The object of my invention is to effect by mechanical means the straightening of the spine and the cure of the deformities arising from spinal curvature, and this object I attain in the manner. hereinafter set forth, refercnce being had to the accompanying drawings, in which Figure 1 is a perspective view of the device which I employ in carrying out my invention, and Fig. 2 a longitudinal section of the same.

A is a slab, preferably of wood, having near the upper end an opening, a, and at the lower end an adjustable foot-rest, b. This slab in the present instance is hinged near the lower end to a base, 13, and is provided at the upper end with a hinged frame, 01, so that the inclination of the slab can be varied by applying the lower end of said frame at to one or other of a series of notches, f, in the base.

In using the device the patient lies at full length on the slab in such position that the back of thehead will enter the opening a, the rounded lower edge of the latter fitting in the back of the neck. The foot-rest is so adj usted that the weight of the body is not borne thereby, so that the tendency of the body to slide down the inclined slab causes a strain upon the back of the head, which has a hold upon the edge of the opening a, the spine being thereby subjected to influences tending both to stretch and straighten it. The patient may, from. time to time, place the feet upon the rest 6, so as to relieve the weight upon the spine, the rest being adjustable in order that it may be adapted to the body of the patient. The extent of the strain upon the spine can be regulated by varying the angle of the slab. The use of an adjustable slab, however, is not necessary to the proper carrying out of my invention, as the inclined slab may, if desired, form a permanent part of the frame. A pocket, or, of fabric, is preferably secured to to the under side of the slab at the opening a, so as to form a support for the back of the head. The resting of the back upon the un yielding slab A also has a tendency to straighten the shoulders of the patient and square the back, thereby effecting an expansion of the chest and corresponding relief of the lungs, and correcting such deformities as round or uneven shoulders.

I claim as my invention- 1. The within-described device for the cure of deformities, said device consisting of an inclined slab having near the upper end an opening, a, as set forth.

2. The combination of an inclined slab having an opening, a, with the adjustable footrest I), as set forth.

3. The combination of the base 13, the slab A, hinged thereto, and having an opening, a, and the hinged supporting-frame d, as set forth.

4. The combination of the slab having an.

opening, a, with the pocket at, as set forth.

In testimony whereof I have signed my name to this specification in the presence of two sub- 

